FOOTBALL

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2194, 19 May 1908, Page 3

FOOTBALL

THE ,BRITISH TEAM ARRIVES,

Press Association. W.BLLING'XiO.N, May IS. Tlio 'British team of lUighy footballers arrived to-day by tlio s.s. Athenic front London.

RECEPTION IN WELLINGTON. AN ENTHUSIASTIC CEREMONY,

WELLINGTON, May 18

A tremendous crowd gathered at the Town Hall tills afternoon to bo present at tho official reception of tho -British footballers to New Zealand. -long befovo tho hour appointed lor tho function, tho building was packed to the doors. Tho -Mayor (Hon. T. H. Hislop), in welcoming tho team to tho Dominion, slid that such ft visit was of great benefit in drawing closer the ties of kinship between people of the Dkl Country and thoso of this Dominion. ' He hoped tho visitors would find that there had been no deterioration of tho British raco in this young country. He extended a very cordial welcome on behalf of the citizens of Wellington. Sir Joseph Ward assured the team wherever they -went in New Zealand thev would bo recoived with the greatest cordiality, and tliero was no doubt whatever that they would meet with absoluto fair play -in all their matches. New Zealand remembored with pleasure tho'very cordial reception that was given to tho AllBlacks during their visit to England, anil they desired to have this opportunity to an some way reciprocate. Whatever tho Government could do to liinko the tour of the team a pleasant ono they would bo most happy to do. The Captain and Manager both returned thanks. Tho former stated that had the Irish and Scottish Unions co-operated 'in sending tho team there was no doubt that a strong team would have arrivod. Nevertheless, it was a sound team that had come, and ho hoped tho visit would bo of benefit to the causo of amateur Rugby football in New Zealand. -Captain Harding remarked that lie had sonio pleasant recollections of bis visit t 0 New Zealand as a member of Mr. Bedell-Sievwriglit’s team -in-1904, and lie did not- require any assurance that the present team would receive the most scrupulous fair play in its matches. His previous experience was such as to make them know that it was a certainty that they could hardly hope to go hack to England with such a record as tho New Zoa-. land team of 1906. had met m England, because all .English footballers know that that combination was the vet v finest team of Rugby players that ever went on tour. Still, they hoped to give a very good account of themselves, and they were good men and had youth in their favor. If they did not win a majority of tlie test, matches, it would do them no harm, and if they did it might havo a good effect oil amateur Rugby football in New Zealand. The cordiality of their reception in Wellington would be something for them always to remember. One thing lie had a distinct recollection of during the visit of Bcdell-Siovwr-ight’s team was, that though tho Englshmen had been soundly whacked on the Athletic Park at Wellington , they were cheered by the public during the whole of their journey back to tho city. The function concluded with hearty cheer 3 for the visitors.

POVERTY BAY RUGBY UNION. The weekly meeting of the management committee of the Poverty Bay Rugby Union was Tielcl in tlie Masonic Hotel last evening. -Present: Messrs H. E. Maude (chairman), Eaton, Wfntchop, Bright, Dustin, Sheriff, Ingram, Puliett, Johnston, and E. L. Maude (lion. sec.). An apology was received from /Mr. G. Morse. The miuutes of tho previous meeting were read- and confirmed. Correspondence was received as follows : From the Poverty Bay Hockey Association asking for the -use of No. 1 ground for the Rata Club on Tuesdays and FTfuays and tho Gisborne Ladies’ Club on Mondays. Granted, each club to pay 10s Gd; allocation of gate money to be arranged later. From the N.Z. Rugby Union in reference to tho accommodation of the English team; also regarding the travelling and playing -arrangements of the team. —Tho secretary was instructed to write the Union stating tho local arrangements for the visitors’ reception.' From tho lion, secretary Waiapu sub-Union asking that tlie Coast match be played on July 2nd, instead of June 27th, as originally arranged. —The original I 'arrangement to ho adhered to, but expenses of any players picked for the English match on July 4tli to be paid. From Whatatutu District Union re affiliation to the Poverty Bay Union and asking to bo included in the insurance fund.—lt was decided that the Whatatutu players could not be included in the insurance fund, -but that the individual clubs be allowed to affiliate at £1 Is each. From tlie N.Z. Rugby Union asking for nominations for the New Zealand team'.—Resolved to notify the Union that Poverty Bay contains no player of sufficient- merit to justify nomination. ill-. W. Hay, referee in tlie senior match -between K-aiti City and West End, attended, and gave particulars of the ordering off of a player in that match. The player in question had disputed Mr. Hay’s decisions, biit had afterwards apologised to him, -and a letter was read from tho player apologising to the Union for the incident. It was resolved that the temporary suspenson oil the player be removed, but that the secretary write cautioning him in regard to future transgressions. It was resolved that as soon as a reply be received from the Borough Council, tenders be called for improvements to the Domain. The secretary was instructed to write to Dr. Tutero Wi Repa thanking him for his gratuitous services last Saturday to injured players. The lists of Saturday players were then gone through and discussed. The Alhambra Club sent in a list of its officers and players. The draw for the commencement of the Thursday competition next Thursday took place, and resulted as follows: —Alhambra v. City (1.40 p.m.); iStar v. Gisboriie (3 p.m.). Botti matches to bd played on No. 1 ground. Tho other matches for the first round were arranged as follows:

May 25—Star v. Alhambra (1.40 p.m.), No. 2 ground. May 25—Gisborne v. City (3 p.m.), No. 2 ground. June 11 —Alhambra v. Gisborne (1.10 p.m.), No. 1 ground. June Jl—City v. Star (3 p.m.), No. 1 ground. June 3rd will be devoted to a game between representatives of Thursday and Saturday players. It was decided to write the South Canterbury Itugby Union asking that Union to visit Gisborne oil its northern tour.

It was resolved to dovote the proceeds of tho game on June 3rd to the Accident Insurance Fund. (Messrs H. Puflett, D. E. Dustin, and J. S. Thompson were appointed a selection committee to pick a team of Thursday players for the match on Juno 3rd. Permission was granted to the Alhambra and Gisborne Clubs to play in colors other than their own until a full supply of jerseys is obtainable. Other business of a general nature was dealt with, and tho meeting adjourned.